So, you are standing at the door of your physician’s cabinet. Be aware of some mistakes that can make you pay the big price for treatment.
Freud would be impressed by the way in which a mind can find layers of meaning in the most unexpected places. To be writing a piece about erectile dysfunction (ED) and find yourself thinking about a Lovecraft story of cosmic horror is extraordinary. Men plumb the depths of their own dark despair, experiencing true horror in the loss of their lovecraft. They seek the help of Viagra, Cialis or Levitra (which sound as if they should be Elder Gods, hopefully willing to cure rather than eat you for disturbing their sleep). It is all so apposite.
Anyway, we must get on. You’ve already done everything you could. You made the appointment (perhaps a little dishonesty there, but white lies about ED are always acceptable). You conquered your fear. You came. You sat in the waiting room. Now it’s your turn. But you still hesitate to go through the door. You always worry about situations like this. Fear slows the moment. You are hesitating.
So… Are you thinking about things you want to ask your doctor?
Well, let’s get the obvious ones out of the way. You’ve made the admission about the reason for your visit. The ice is broken. Now your real concern, “Am I going to be all right?” or “Is there a cure?” You can read what sites like this might say and not really believe. You need to hear it from someone who really knows.
OK, your question has provoked a smile and words of reassurance. Form now on, it’s getting easier. You can ask what ;ED treatment methods are available or what the causes might be, but they are probably getting a little ahead of yourself. Until there is an examination and diagnosis, the doctor cannot know what the cause might be nor what treatments might be indicated. Perhaps it will be something as simple as taking Viagra, Cialis or Levitra, or there will be more to it. Perhaps the doctor will talk about lifestyle changes or counseling. Hopefully, the outcome will be a cure so that you don’t have to keep taking the tablets for the rest of your active life.
Perhaps you should keep quiet now. The doctor may want to get a word into the conversation, ask a question or two.
So that’s what we’ll talk about next time. The doctor has made reassuring noises but needs to get on with the serious stuff. Ask you the right questions, poke you in the right places. Or did you stay with your female doctor? Well, view the entire examination as dispassionately as possible. You have ED. Remember not to get excited. Repeat after me, “I have ED!” and then the key phrase, “But I’m going to get the cure!”
PS For those who like complete and accurate information about everything, The Lurker at the Threshold is a novelette in the Cthulhu Mythos written by August Derleth, based on two short fragments written by H. P. Lovecraft.